Strawberry plant variety named ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ particularly characterized by its high yield, firm fruit, and mildew tolerance, is disclosed.

Latin name: Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed varietyof strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that isgrown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred inBrittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginianawith Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessoryfruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from thereceptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, seasonof ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certainvarieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development oftheir reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appearhermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female.Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involvespropagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare rootplants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. Duringthe off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright redcolor, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is apopular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in preparedfoods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, thereis a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, thereis a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable,high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to animproved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the inventionrelates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria xananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ was discovered inMonterey County, Calif. in May of 2011 and originated from a crossbetween the proprietary female parent ‘DrisStrawFortyOne’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 25,699) and the proprietary male parent ‘96Q116’ (unpatented)in Shasta County, Calif. in April of 2010. A single plant was selectedand asexually propagated via stolons in Monterey County, Calif.

‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolonsand underwent further testing at a farm in Monterey County, Calif. forsix years (2011 to 2016). The present invention has been found to bestable and reproduce true to type through successive asexualpropagations via stolons and tissue culture.

‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ exhibits the following distinguishingcharacteristics when grown under normal horticultural practices inMonterey County, Calif.:

-   -   1. Uniform-sized fruit having a firm texture and improved shelf        life;    -   2. Upright plant habit with a bearing that is partially        everbearing and partially remontant; and    -   3. Tolerant to mildew and susceptible to Xanthomonas fragariae.

‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ was selected for its high yield, firm fruit, andmildew tolerance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographswhich show fruit of the plant, as well as the flowers and leaves. Thecolors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventionalphotographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are 8 monthsold.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal cross-sections of fruit of variety‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’.

FIG. 3 shows both the upper and lower surfaces of flowers of variety‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’.

FIG. 4A shows the lower surface of a leaf of variety‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ with three leaflets.

FIG. 4B shows the upper surface of a leaf of variety‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ with three leaflets.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’. The data which define thesecharacteristics is based on observations taken in Monterey County,Calif. from 2011 to 2016. This description is in accordance with UPOVterminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and otherphenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values anddescriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal,climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ has not beenobserved under all possible environmental conditions. The botanicaldescription of ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ was taken from 8 month old plants.The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements ofseveral plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. ColourChart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2007edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant IdentificationTerminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harrisand Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Classification:    -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.        -   Common name.—Strawberry.        -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary variety ‘DrisStrawFortyOne’            (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,699).        -   Male parent.—The proprietary variety ‘96Q116’ (unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Height.—30.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—51.2 cm.        -   Number of crowns/plant.—4.        -   Habit.—Flat globose.-   Terminal leaflets:    -   -   Length.—9.6 cm.        -   Width.—8.4 cm.        -   Length/width ratio.—1.1.        -   Number of teeth/terminal leaflet.—23.        -   Shape of teeth.—Obtuse — serrate to crenate.        -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 147A (Moderate olive green). Lower            surface: RHS 147B (Moderate yellow-green).        -   Shape in cross section.—Concave.        -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.        -   Shape.—Obicular.        -   Base shape.—Rounded.        -   Apex descriptor.—Rounded.        -   Margin.—Crenate.        -   Margin profile.—Revolute (Margins rolled backwards).        -   Variegation.—Absent.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—18.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—4.96 mm.        -   Pose of hairs.—Outwards — horizontal.        -   Color.—RHS 144B (Strong yellow-green).        -   Bract frequency (number present on each petiole).—1.-   Petiolule:    -   -   Length.—10.2 mm.        -   Diameter.—2.19 mm.        -   Color.—RHS 144B (Strong yellow-green).-   Stipule:    -   -   Length.—3.7 cm.        -   Width.—11.74 mm.        -   Stipule anthocyanin coloration.—Present. Color: RHS 53B            (Strong red).-   Stolon:    -   -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—12.        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Present. Color: RHS 185B (Moderate            red).        -   Diameter at bract.—0.12 mm.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Position relative to foliage.—Level with.        -   Flower diameter.—22.32 mm.        -   Number of flowers per plant.—8.        -   Petals.—Shape: Obicular. Apex: Rounded. Base:            Concavo-convex. Margin: Entire. Spacing: Overlapping.            Length: 10.31 mm. Width: 9.24 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.1.            Petal number per flower: 7. Color (upper surface): RHS 155C            (Greenish white).        -   Calyx.—Diameter: 34.74 mm. Insertion of calyx: Set above            fruit — raised. Pose of calyx segments: Reflexed — upwards.        -   Sepal.—Shape: Elliptical. Apex: Convex. Margin: Entire.            Length: 14.24 mm. Width: 5.48 mm. Sepal number: 13.        -   Receptacle color.—RHS 154B (Brilliant yellow-green).        -   Stamen.—Present. Anther color: RHS N167B (Brownish orange).        -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Upwards.        -   Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower).—Early.        -   Flowering interval.—February to November.-   Fruiting truss:    -   -   Length.—22.1 cm.        -   Diameter at base of truss.—3.74 mm.        -   Number of berries per fruiting truss.—8.        -   Attitude at first picking.—Prostrate.        -   Color at base of truss.—RHS 144B (Strong yellow-green).-   Fruit:    -   -   Length.—43.65 mm.        -   Width.—38.29 mm.        -   Length/width ratio.—1.1.        -   Fruit hollow length.—18.73 mm.        -   Fruit hollow width.—7.18 mm.        -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—2.6.        -   Fruit weight.—23.9 g.        -   Predominant fruit shape.—Conical.        -   Fruit skin color.—RHS 46A (Strong red).        -   Achenes.—Insertion of achenes: Level with surface.            Coloration (sunward side of berry): RHS 184A (Greyish red).            Coloration (shaded side of berry): RHS 151A (Strong greenish            yellow). Number of achenes per berry: 191.        -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS N45B (Moderate red).        -   Color of core.—RHS 41C (Moderate reddish) and RHS N155C            (Pinkish white).        -   Distribution of flesh color.—Marginal and central.        -   Type of bearing.—Partially everbearing — partially            remontant.        -   Harvest maturity (beginning of fruit ripening when 50% of            plants have ripe fruit).—Early.        -   Harvest interval.—May to early November.        -   Production.—1995 grams/plant.-   Stress resistance:    -   -   High soil salt levels.—Susceptible.-   Disease and pest resistance:    -   -   Tetranychus urticae.—Moderately susceptible.        -   Lygus hesperus (lygus bug).—Moderately susceptible.        -   Powdery mildew.—Moderately susceptible.        -   Verticillium wilt.—Susceptible.        -   Leather rot.—Susceptible.        -   Xanthomonas fragariae.—Susceptible.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

When ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ is compared to the female parent‘DrisStrawFortyOne’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,699), ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’produces plants that are higher yielding than ‘DrisStrawFortyOne’.Additionally, plants of ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ produce fruit that is moreuniform, sweeter, and has a firmer texture than ‘DrisStrawFortyOne’.

When ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ is compared to the male parent ‘96Q116’(unpatented), ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ produces fruit that is firmer andhas better shelf-life than ‘96Q116’. Additionally, ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’is more tolerant to mildew than ‘96Q116’.

When ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ is compared to the commercial variety‘DrisStrawNine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,733), ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’produces a higher yield of fruit with fewer achenes per fruit than‘DrisStrawNine’. Additionally, ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ produces plantswith a flat globose habit and with a bearing that is partiallyeverbearing and partially remontant, while ‘DrisStrawNine’ producesplants with an upright habit and a bearing that is fully everbearing.Moreover, ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ produces plants that are susceptible toXanthomonas fragariae, while ‘DrisStrawNine’ produces plants that aremoderately susceptible to Xanthomonas fragariae.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ as shown and described herein.